openstates-mcp-server

Search Events

openstates_search_events

Read-onlyIdempotent

Search hearings, floor sessions, and committee meetings. jurisdiction is required — the Open States events endpoint has no all-states search, so scope every call to a single state; use openstates_list_jurisdictions to pick one. Experimental — most states do not publish event data to Open States. Use after and before to scope to a date range. Set require_bills=true to filter to events with bills on the agenda, which is the most useful filter for tracking legislation through committee. Use include=agenda,participants for full meeting context. Empty results often indicate the state lacks event data rather than no events occurring.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`page`	No	Page number (1-indexed).
`after`	No	ISO 8601 datetime — events starting after this time. Use to find upcoming hearings.
`before`	No	ISO 8601 datetime — events starting before this time.
`include`	No	Related data to inline. "agenda" includes the meeting agenda with bill references. "participants" includes the committee or chamber hosting the event. "links" and "media" add related URLs and recordings, "documents" the attached files, and "sources" the provenance URLs behind the record.
`per_page`	No	Results per page. Maximum 20.
`jurisdiction`	Yes	State name, abbreviation, or OCD-ID. Required — the Open States events endpoint has no all-states search, so every call must be scoped to a single jurisdiction.
`require_bills`	No	When true, only return events with at least one bill on the agenda. Most useful for tracking legislation through committee.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`page`	No	Current page returned.
`error`	No	Present when the call failed. Absent on success.
`notice`	No	Recovery hint when results are empty. Absent when results are returned.
`maxPage`	No	Total pages available.
`results`	No	Events matching the search criteria.
`pagination`	No	Pagination metadata.
`totalCount`	No	Total events matching the query across all pages.
`coverageNote`	No	Event data is experimental — most states do not publish event data to Open States. Empty results may indicate the state lacks data, not that no events occurred.
`appliedFilters`	No	Filters applied to this query as the server received them, for agent self-verification of zero or unexpected results.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed6 schema fields changedAug 25, 2026

changedInput schema / $schema

Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"

addedInput schema / additionalProperties
```
Added value: +false
```

changedOutput schema / $schema

Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"

addedOutput schema / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "not": {
+      "required": [
+        "error"
+      ]
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "results",
+      "pagination",
+      "totalCount",
+      "page",
+      "maxPage",
+      "coverageNote",
+      "appliedFilters"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ]
+  }
+]

addedOutput schema / properties / error

Added value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": {},
+  "description": "Present when the call failed. Absent on success.",
+  "properties": {
+    "code": {
+      "description": "JSON-RPC error code for this failure.",
+      "maximum": 9007199254740991,
+      "minimum": -9007199254740991,
+      "type": "integer"
+    },
+    "data": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "properties": {
+        "reason": {
+          "description": "Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `upstream_timeout`: Open States did not answer within the per-request timeout — the query is too broad. `invalid_page`: Open States rejected the request as not found — page is past the last page for this query. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler.",
+          "examples": [
+            "upstream_timeout",
+            "invalid_page"
+          ],
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        "recovery": {
+          "additionalProperties": {},
+          "description": "Actionable next step for the caller.",
+          "properties": {
+            "hint": {
+              "type": "string"
+            }
+          },
+          "required": [
+            "hint"
+          ],
+          "type": "object"
+        },
+        "retryable": {
+          "description": "Whether retrying may succeed.",
+          "type": "boolean"
+        }
+      },
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "message": {
+      "description": "Human-readable description of what went wrong.",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "code",
+    "message"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

removedOutput schema / required

Removed value: -[
-  "results",
-  "pagination",
-  "totalCount",
-  "page",
-  "maxPage",
-  "coverageNote",
-  "appliedFilters"
-]

Changed4 schema fields changedJul 31, 2026
- changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / documents / items / properties / note / description
```
Previous value: -"Document description."New value: +"Document description. Empty string when Open States recorded no description."
```
- changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / links / items / properties / note / description
```
Previous value: -"Link description."New value: +"Link description. Empty string when Open States recorded no description."
```
- changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / media / items / properties / note / description
```
Previous value: -"Media description."New value: +"Media description. Empty string when Open States recorded no description."
```
- changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / sources / items / properties / note / description
```
Previous value: -"Source note."New value: +"Source note. Empty string when Open States recorded no note."
```

Changed3 schema fields changedJul 31, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / jurisdiction / description

Previous value: -"State name, abbreviation, or OCD-ID. Required — the Open States events endpoint has no all-states search and rejects requests that omit it."New value: +"State name, abbreviation, or OCD-ID. Required — the Open States events endpoint has no all-states search, so every call must be scoped to a single jurisdiction."

addedInput schema / properties / jurisdiction / minLength
```
Added value: +1
```
addedInput schema / required
```
Added value: +[
+  "jurisdiction"
+]
```

Changed7 schema fields changedJul 16, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / include / description

Previous value: -"Related data to inline. \"agenda\" includes the meeting agenda with bill references. \"participants\" includes the committee or chamber hosting the event."New value: +"Related data to inline. \"agenda\" includes the meeting agenda with bill references. \"participants\" includes the committee or chamber hosting the event. \"links\" and \"media\" add related URLs and recordings, \"documents\" the attached files, and \"sources\" the provenance URLs behind the record."

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / documents

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Document links when include=documents is requested.",
+  "items": {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "description": "Document link record.",
+    "properties": {
+      "note": {
+        "description": "Document description.",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "url": {
+        "description": "Document URL.",
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "url",
+      "note"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / links

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Event links when include=links is requested.",
+  "items": {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "description": "External link record.",
+    "properties": {
+      "note": {
+        "description": "Link description.",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "url": {
+        "description": "Link URL.",
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "url",
+      "note"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / media

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Media links when include=media is requested.",
+  "items": {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "description": "Media link record.",
+    "properties": {
+      "note": {
+        "description": "Media description.",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "url": {
+        "description": "Media URL.",
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "url",
+      "note"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / participants / items / properties / role / description
```
Previous value: -"Participant role."New value: +"Participant role. Absent when upstream omits it."
```

changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / participants / items / required

Previous value: -[
-  "name",
-  "entity_type",
-  "role"
-]New value: +[
+  "name",
+  "entity_type"
+]

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / sources

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Provenance sources when include=sources is requested.",
+  "items": {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "description": "Source record.",
+    "properties": {
+      "note": {
+        "description": "Source note.",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "url": {
+        "description": "Source URL.",
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "url",
+      "note"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}

Changed1 schema field changedJul 16, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / jurisdiction / description

Previous value: -"State name, abbreviation, or OCD-ID. Omitting searches across all states."New value: +"State name, abbreviation, or OCD-ID. Required — the Open States events endpoint has no all-states search and rejects requests that omit it."

Changed4 schema fields changedJun 22, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / after / pattern

Added value: +"^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}(T[\\d:.Z+-]+)?$"

addedInput schema / properties / before / pattern

Added value: +"^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}(T[\\d:.Z+-]+)?$"

addedOutput schema / properties / appliedFilters

Added value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "description": "Filters applied to this query as the server received them, for agent self-verification of zero or unexpected results.",
+  "properties": {
+    "after": {
+      "description": "after datetime filter as received.",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "before": {
+      "description": "before datetime filter as received.",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "jurisdiction": {
+      "description": "Jurisdiction filter as received.",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "page": {
+      "description": "Page number requested.",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "per_page": {
+      "description": "Results per page requested.",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "require_bills": {
+      "description": "require_bills flag as received.",
+      "type": "boolean"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "require_bills",
+    "page",
+    "per_page"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

changedOutput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "results",
-  "pagination",
-  "totalCount",
-  "page",
-  "maxPage",
-  "coverageNote"
-]New value: +[
+  "results",
+  "pagination",
+  "totalCount",
+  "page",
+  "maxPage",
+  "coverageNote",
+  "appliedFilters"
+]

Changed3 schema fields changedJun 13, 2026

addedOutput schema / properties / totalCount

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Total events matching the query across all pages.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

removedOutput schema / properties / totalItems

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Total events matching the query across all pages.",
-  "type": "number"
-}

changedOutput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "results",
-  "pagination",
-  "totalItems",
-  "page",
-  "maxPage",
-  "coverageNote"
-]New value: +[
+  "results",
+  "pagination",
+  "totalCount",
+  "page",
+  "maxPage",
+  "coverageNote"
+]

Changed8 schema fields changedMay 30, 2026

addedOutput schema / properties / coverageNote

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Event data is experimental — most states do not publish event data to Open States. Empty results may indicate the state lacks data, not that no events occurred.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

removedOutput schema / properties / coverage_note

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Event data is experimental — most states do not publish event data to Open States. Empty results may indicate the state lacks data, not that no events occurred.",
-  "type": "string"
-}

addedOutput schema / properties / maxPage

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Total pages available.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

removedOutput schema / properties / message

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Recovery hint when results are empty. Absent when results are returned.",
-  "type": "string"
-}

addedOutput schema / properties / notice

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Recovery hint when results are empty. Absent when results are returned.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / page

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Current page returned.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / totalItems

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Total events matching the query across all pages.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

changedOutput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "results",
-  "pagination",
-  "coverage_note"
-]New value: +[
+  "results",
+  "pagination",
+  "totalItems",
+  "page",
+  "maxPage",
+  "coverageNote"
+]

First observedMay 25, 2026

TDQS

A4.8/5.0

Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, and idempotentHint, which cover safety and repeatability. The description adds meaningful behavioral context beyond that: the experimental nature, the fact that most states lack event data, and the interpretation of empty results. No contradictions with annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is about four sentences and front-loads the core purpose and the mandatory jurisdiction constraint. It is reasonably tight, though some advice (like require_bills and include) is also present in the schema and could be considered slightly redundant, keeping it from a 5.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With an output schema present, the description need not explain return values. It covers the sole required parameter, the experimental caveat, common filters, and empty-result interpretation—everything an agent needs to correctly scope and call the tool. It is fully complete for the tool's complexity.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so each parameter already has solid descriptions. The description adds extra value by explaining the rationale behind jurisdiction (no all-states search), suggesting after for upcoming hearings, and highlighting require_bills for tracking legislation. This goes just beyond the schema, warranting a 4.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool searches hearings, floor sessions, and committee meetings, which is a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes from sibling get_event by focusing on search, and the opening sentence leaves no ambiguity about what the tool does.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives explicit, actionable guidance: jurisdiction is required and why, use openstates_list_jurisdictions to choose one, use after/before for date scoping, require_bills for filtering, and include for context. It also warns about experimental status and how to interpret empty results, which directly informs usage decisions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

All openstates-mcp-server tools Inspect

Try in Browser

One endpoint for every MCP toolRayrun runs every MCP server behind one URL and holds the credentials. Each call is decided per client, tool, and argument, then recorded.ray.runAd

Glama MCP Gateway

Add one secure layer between your agents and this server.

Search Events

Input Schema

Output Schema

Schema Changelog

TDQS

Glama MCP Gateway

Resources